Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D., MSCP

A Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Romano founded Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2005. Dr. Romano has worked in the field of behavioral health since 1989 in a variety of public and private facilities and programs serving in roles ranging from direct care to clinician to administrator. He obtained his Bachelors in Social Counseling, his Masters in Pre-Clinical Psychology / Psychometrics, and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He completed his doctoral internship at the Mississippi State Hospital and his postdoctoral residency with the LSUHSC Juvenile Corrections Program. In addition, Dr. Romano completed his Postdoctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology through Alliant International University in 2010. His private practice ranges from the evaluation and treatment of forensic (legal) matters to emotional, behavioral, educational, mental health, and substance abuse problems. His expansive career has included serving on mental health, addiction, and forensic committees, steering committees, workgroups, and management teams on the state level as well as being appointed to State Governmental and Legislative Committees and Subcommittees. He has also provided supervision and training on anger management, domestic violence, sexual perpetration, and substance abuse evaluation and treatment to numerous clinicians practicing in the State of Louisiana. He previously served as the Secretary for the Louisiana Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. Dr. Romano was the sole recipient of the Louisiana Psychological Association's Early Career Award in 2008. He has been featured in local and national periodicals as well as on television and radio talk shows discussing topics ranging from sex offending to parenting, and violent mental health. Dr. Romano currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge) and provides community-based services throughout Louisiana.

Amanda H. Chapoton, LPC-S, LMFT

A Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Amanda joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2010. Amanda earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1997. She earned a Master of Education in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2001. In addition to her LPC-S and LMFT, Amanda earned her certification as a Registered Play Therapist in 2005. Her diverse career includes time as an adjunct professor at Southeastern Louisiana University teaching courses in career planning, child development and marriage and family studies. Her career also has been devoted to the treatment of children, youth and families affected by physical and sexual abuse. Her extensive experience in counseling includes treatment of high-risk youth and those with mental health disorders as part of the Louisiana Judicial System. In 2007, Amanda began providing treatment to juveniles who were adjudicated for sexual offenses. In her work with Brandon P. Romano and Associates, her practice has focused on the treatment of both the victims and perpetrators of sexual offenses. She is a trained forensic interviewer who has assisted law enforcement and child protection services in over seven parishes with child sexual abuse investigations, including testifying in open court. She has been qualified to testify as an expert in the field of counseling in the courts of Louisiana. Amanda currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge) and provides community-based services in Hammond and Amite.

Brittnie Crumholt, LPC, NCC

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Brittnie joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2012. In 2007, Brittnie graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with her Bachelors in Family in Consumer Sciences, concentrating in Family Studies. She earned her Master of Education in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2010. She has worked and trained in the field of counseling since 2009. Brittnie's areas of focus include depression and anxiety, stress/coping skills, relationship issues, trauma, anger management, parenting, domestic violence treatment, sex offender treatment, behavior issues and play therapy. She works with individual clients, couples and families. In addition to her part-time work with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates, Brittnie is also a full-time Professional School Counselor where she provides individual and group counseling to children and focuses on social/emotional, behavioral and academic concerns. In her role as a school counselor, Brittnie also serves as the School Building Level Committee chairperson and develops Individual Accomodation Plans for students with learning disabilities. Brittnie currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge).

Julie Ritchie, LPC

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Julie joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2013. In 2009, Julie graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with her Bachelors in Family and Consumer Sciences, concentrating in Family Studies. She earned her Master of Education in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2012. She has worked and trained in the field of counseling since 2012. Julie's experience includes individual and group therapy, substance abuse treatment, parenting skills, depression and anxiety, and play therapy. Julie published a chapter of Reactive Attachment Disorder: Play Therapy Interventions for School Settings in June 2013. Julie previously worked as a counselor at an inpatient facility in the Baton Rouge area focusing on helping individuals, families, and groups cope with substance abuse and mental health issues. Julie currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge) and provides community-based services in Baton Rouge and Denham Springs.

Ernest Gross, Jr, LCSW-BACS

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor, Ernest joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2014. He graduated from Xavier University with his Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. He earned his Masters in Social Work from Southern University in New Orleans. Ernest has worked in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, in private practice, at Jetson Correctional Center for Youth, and in the New Orleans Public School System. In addition to being an LCSW-BACS, he is also a Certified School Social Worker Specialist. He has over three decades of experience which includes working with juveniles exhibiting sexual behavior problems, domestic violence, and other general mental health services via individual, family, and group counseling. Ernest currently provides community-based services for us in Baton Rouge.

N. Nina Grubisic, M.A.

A Clinical Assistant and Psychometrist, Nina began employment in 2011 with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates and then returned in 2014 after attending graduate school for her second Masters in Clinical Psychology. Nina currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge) and community-based services in surrounding areas under the direct supervision of Dr. Romano.

Shannon Smith, LPC, NCC

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Shannon joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2015. Shannon earned her undergraduate degree in General Studies with a concentration in Science and Mathematics from Indiana University. She earned her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Louisiana State University in 2015 and has pursued post-graduate continuing education at Southeastern Louisiana University and Loyola University. Before beginning her career in counseling, Shannon worked in the field of victim services for 15 years, serving as a professional victim advocate in five different states and speaking on a local and national level about the effects of sexual violence. She also worked with convicted sex offenders in community supervision for five years. Shannon practices individual, couples, and group therapy with juveniles, adults, and families, with special interests in identity development, LGBTQ concerns, depression and anxiety, grief and loss, mindfulness, post-trauma intervention, and treatment for problem sexual behavior. She uses an integrative and client-centered approach to counseling to assist her clients in their personal growth and development. Shannon currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge), our Satellite Clinic (Kenner), and also provides community-based services in Port Allen, Gonzales, and New Orleans.

Allison (Ally) Johnson, LPC, NCC

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Ally joined Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D & Associates in 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Early Childhood Development from Louisiana State University from 2012 and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern University from 2015. She completed her graduate internship at Our Lady of the Lake Tau Center for Mental and Behavioral Health. Ally’s previous experiences including working with LSU's Neuropsychology Laboratory, Behavioral Science Consulting in Memphis, TN, and Our Lady of the Lake Tau Center on adult and adolescent inpatient psychiatric units. Ally is a member of the Louisiana Counseling Association. Ally is passionate about working with children/adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Ally's specific areas of interest include play therapy, anxiety and depression, family and relationship issues, anger management, parenting skills, and substance abuse treatment. She was published in the Journal of Attention Disorders in 2012 for research contributions to a compendium for assessments of ADHD. Ally currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge).

Sonia Shah, M.A.

A Pre-Doctoral Associate, Sonia began employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2017. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Louisiana State University. Sonia graduated from Texas Tech University with her Bachelors in Psychology and Women's Studies, and she earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. She recently completed her doctoral internship at the Charlie Norwood VA and Medical College of Georgia, where she specialized in treating military sexual trauma and gained experience with a range of treatment modalities. Her experience includes individual and group treatment of anxiety disorders, trauma, depression, substance use, and disordered eating. Sonia utilizes evidenced based treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. She has co-authored several publications on topics related to anxiety, addictive behaviors, and mindfulness. Sonia currently provides services at our Main Clinic (Baton Rouge) and community-based services in surrounding areas under the direct supervision of Dr. Romano.

Kirsten, Practice Manager

Kirsten graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy in 1998 and is a Licensed Occupational Therapist. Her occupational therapy career afforded her experience in mental health, substance use, developmental disorders, neurocognitive impairment, and numerous types of physical dysfunction. Kirsten has served as the Practice Manager at Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates since its inception in 2005. Her responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations as well as handling financial matters, human resources, & contracts.

Tabitha, Administrative Assistant

Tabitha graduated from Northwestern State University with a B.S. in Psychology and Addiction Studies. She began her employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in May 2017. Her responsibilities include scheduling appointments, serving as the coordinator of our sex offender evaluation and treatment program, assisting with marketing, and other administrative duties. Tabitha plans to pursue graduate school at some point in the future.

Jennifer, Administrative Assistant

Jennifer graduated from the University of Missouri- Kansas City with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Studio Art in 2016. She began her employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in February 2018. Her responsibilities include scheduling appointments, managing insurance eligibility and prior authorization issues, coordinating community-based evaluations and Telehealth consults as needed, assisting with records release, and other administrative duties. Jennifer plans to pursue graduate school at some point in the future.

Cherie', Claims Specialist

Cherie' graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana with a B.S. in Hospitality Management and Tourism in 2010. She graduated from Our Lady of the Lake College in nursing in 2017 and is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Cherie' began employment with Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in May 2010. Cherie's responsibilities include mental / behavioral health claims filing as well as communication with health insurance carriers to resolve claim payment issues.